Caption: Chromosome and the human body. Computer artwork of a human chromosome being held by a standing anatomical figure. Chromosomes are thread-like structures found in the nucleus of every human cell and they carry genetic information in the form of genes. A chromosome consists of two strands (chromatids) joined in a region known as the centromere. Chromosomes can make exact copies of themselves. Apart from the sex cells, all human cells contain 46 chromosomes. This drawing of the human muscle system is by Andreas Vesalius from his book: De Humani Corporis Fabrica (1543).